Method of opening oysters



Nov. 2l, 1950 J. W. POGANY METHOD 0F OPENING OYSTERS Filed Nov. 16, 1948 JNVENTOR. JoHN W. P06/:NY

Patented Nov. 21, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT `OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a method of and lmeans for the opening of oysters, clams, mol-' lusks and the like; and it has for its principal Vobject to provide a simple and effective method whereby large quantities of such bivalves may be simultaneously opened without heating or cooking and without requiring use of hand tools or manually operated devices usually employed for that purpose and requiring individual handling of the oyster, or other bivalve.

More specifically stated, the invention resides in the use of vacuum to effect the opening of the bivalve and the breaking of the muscle that ordinarily holds the shell closed and the meat in the shell.

A further object resides in the provision of a novel apparatus to be used in the practising of the present method.

In accomplishing the above mentioned and other objects of the invention, I have vprovided an apparatus having improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of an apparatus for the opening of oysters, and the like, in accordance with the objects of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a top or plan View of the same.

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail of a part of the apparatus.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The present method of opening oysters, clams, and other bivalves, anticipates that a large quantity thereof be placed in a chamber, the chamber sealed and vacuum applied thereto to whatever extent is necessary to cause the bivalves to open. Then, after the application of vacuum for a length of time sufficient that all under treatment at the time will have been fully opened, a sudden change in pressure condition is effected by breaking the vacuum seal that results in killing the oyster by tearing the shell contracting muscle, thus permitting easy removal of the raw meat from the shells.

The means whereby this method can be expeditiously and effectively accomplished, and as shown in accompanying drawings, comprises a vacuum or decompression chamber I0, here illustrated as being a boxlike enclosure of rectangular form, supported at a suitable working height by legs II. Preferably this chamber is made from sheet steel of such thickness .as to adequately withstand the pressure to which it will be subjected. However, it might well be made of other material.

2 In the top wall Illa of the chamber is an opening I2 over which a lid or door I3 is adapted to be closed, as has been shown best in Fig. 2. The

door is attached at one edge by hinges I4, to

swing upwardly to open position as indicated in dotted lines and, when closed, it seats tightly against a sealing gasket I5 as shown best in Fig. 4. In the bottom wall Ib of the chamber, is an opening I6, over which a lid or door I8 may be closed. This door is attached by hinges I9 and, as indicated, swings downwardly to open position. When the door is closed, it is seated against a sealing gasket 2i). The chamber is charged with the oysters, clams, or the like, through the top opening I2, and after they have been subjected to vacuum, they are discharged through the opening I6 in the bottom wall by opening the door I8.

In their closed positions, the doors I3 and I8 may be held tightly sealed by latches or dogs 22 that are pivoted on the side walls of the chamber and adapted to be holdingly engaged with studs or lugs 23 Xed to and extending outwardly from the side edges of the doors as indicated in Fig. 4.

Opening into the vacuum chamber, preferably through the rear end wall, Id, is a suction pipe 25 leading to a suction pump or other suitable source of vacuum. This is equipped with control valve 26. Mounted in the top wall Illa of the chamber is a vacuum release valve 30 with control lever 3l for opening or closing the valve. Also, it is desirable, in order that the action on bivalves being treated can be noted, that observation panels 33 of glass or other suitable transparent material be set in openings 35 in the side walls of the chamber, as has been shown in Figs. 1 and 4, and also that a vacuum indicating gauge 36 be mounted in a side wall to show the degree of vacuum that is being applied at any time.

Mounted in the sup-porting leg structure of the chamber, directly below the chamber I0, is a receiving chute or plate 4U. This is downwardly inclined and has a at bottom formed with opposite side flanges and a flange across the higher end. The bottom plate also is closely perforated to drain oi water, but to retain the opened oysters when they are discharged from the chamber upon opening the door I8. The lower end of the trough or chute is open and preferably terminates in a horizontal flange 42. A receptacle may be placed below the lower end of this chute to catch the opened oysters.

To carry out the process, the bottom door of the chamber is closed and sealed. The top door is opened and a charge of fresh oysters is poured into the chamber I0. Then the top door is closed and sealed. Vacuum is then applied by opening the valve 26 and the degree of vacuum can be noted by reference to gauge 36.

Under the effect of vacuum, the oysters will open, and this opening action can be observed by looking through the transparent panels 33. When all are open, vacuum valve 26 is closed and Valve 3-"is opened, thusfsuddenlyreleasing the vacuum. This has been found to cause the breaking of the shell-closing muscle and the killing of the oyster.

The opened oysters are then discharged from the chamber by opening the bottom door. They fall onto chute 4l] and from there 'pass into lthe receiving receptacle, Water draining 01T through the trough perforations.

yThe above method is simple, effective, quick and inexpensive. It eliminates the tedious hand opening operations andis practical for all kinds Aofbivalves.

-In `the followingclaims the wordoysters is xintended to designated all bivalves `for which claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A method of opening oysters and other bivalves comprising coni-ming the fresh oysters within an air-tight chamber and subjecting the chamber to vacuum, until the oysters have opened.

2. n1i methodof opening-oysters and other bivvalvescomprising confining thefre'sh oysters in an air-tight chamber, subjecting the chamber -to vacuum, until the oysters have opened, then Yquickly releasing the vacuum.

JOHN W. POGAN'Y.

REFERENCES CITED The 'following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

